RealGM Wiretap

Rajon Rondo believes he has a long career still ahead of him, but the Boston Celtics' star is already preparing himself to become an NBA head coach in the future.

“I have a long way to go,” Rondo said. “And obviously I want to play for another 10 or 11 years. But it is something that’s in the back in my mind. And it starts now. I think the process is starting now.

“I think it just comes natural, with me being so vocal on the court, knowing everything out there on the court — what’s going on, play-calling, guys who have it, guys who don’t have it."

Rondo said he watched Doc Rivers closely when Rivers coached him on the Celtics. Now, Rondo is paying close attention to Brad Stevens.

“I watched Doc [Rivers] for seven years,” Rondo said. “I watched how he handled certain players, how he handled certain situations, how you handle a four-game losing streak, how you handle a 10-game winning streak.”